Winds of Innovation at MLB Stadium

by Antonio Pasolini on March 30, 2012

Photo: CSU

An innovative wind energy tower has been installed atop Cleveland Indians Baseball stadium. The tower was designed by Cleveland State University’s Dr. Majid Rashidi.
The 18-foot-wide helix turbine will generate approximately 40,000 kilowatt hours per year (about the same energy used to power four homes) Both CSU and the Cleveland Indians hope that the installation of this pioneering wind tower will spur the development of alternative energy in Northeast Ohio.

Dr. Rashidi’s project was initially financed with a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2008. The aim was to develop a wind amplification turbine system that would not only be cost-effective, but commercially viable. The success of Dr. Rashidi’s wind tower paved the way for CSU’s deal with the Cleveland Indians.

Photo: CSU

The selling point of Dr. Rashidi’s tower is that it can be retrofitted on existing structures such as farm silos and former water towers. Unlike traditional wind turbines that need vast open space, they are feasible in rural and urban setting. This leads to a decrease in costs and helps generate energy to power individual buildings during peak hours, power outages and other emergency situations.